Search found 155 matches

by kurgan
Wed Dec 14, 2016 3:01 am
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: Multi use apple press/grinder
Replies: 136
Views: 33359

Re: Multi use apple press/grinder

The Baker wrote:I have one of those mulchers to use for apples but I was a but worried about juice getting into the motor or the electrics. No problems?
Geoff
No problems here. Just don't drop the press jack handle into the chute :wink:
by kurgan
Thu Jan 08, 2015 7:44 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Life Happens
Replies: 42
Views: 2570

Re: Life Happens

Stay strong brother, praying for you and family.
by kurgan
Thu Jan 08, 2015 7:31 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman
Replies: 12
Views: 2586

Re: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman

This was probably the most labor intensive things i've done in a while, mostly because I only had the help of my wife a couple times, the rest was all me. I also had a few headaches getting this run started due to being shut down for a year. I had to build a new liebig (don't ask why), and then foun...
by kurgan
Thu Jan 08, 2015 6:16 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Potentially life-changing bad news....
Replies: 75
Views: 4802

Re: Potentially life-changing bad news....

Sad to hear this news. I'll keep you, her, and your family in my prayers.
by kurgan
Thu Jan 08, 2015 6:07 am
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Future boiler and thumper
Replies: 15
Views: 2826

Re: Future boiler and thumper

Sweet! First thing to my mind was a double boiler or steam jacketed/powered boiler. Can't beat $20 with a stick.
by kurgan
Thu Jan 08, 2015 6:02 am
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Troy & sons
Replies: 22
Views: 6559

Re: Troy & sons

Bushman is right. I cringe when I see it because of my time here on the forum. In her defense, I highly doubt she just ran out to the nearest Lowe's and bought that hose. I'm sure (and hope) it is the one approved for high abv.
by kurgan
Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:26 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Old copper still boiler...
Replies: 17
Views: 3697

Re: Old copper still boiler...

crackhedbilly wrote:what are the ports on the side of the "flute" for?
You mean the sight glasses?
by kurgan
Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:48 am
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: How to age White Dawg?
Replies: 47
Views: 7782

Re: How to age White Dawg?

Some of the best compliments I ever got were on a Birdwatchers that I had aged in glass for a year.
by kurgan
Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:37 am
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Recording what happens in an all corn plus SEB enzyme mash
Replies: 16
Views: 2822

Re: Recording what happens in an all corn plus SEB enzyme ma

True, he was talking about finished mash. I see your point about the homogenized samples, and agree that it's probably like you said "horseshoes and hand-grenades". I like the refractometer for an all grain and fruit mash, I trust it more for these. I usually leave the hydrometer for beer ...
by kurgan
Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:41 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Tails for brandy
Replies: 8
Views: 2105

Re: Tails for brandy

Hardcider wrote:So when the tails go down to 20% then you stop. Or what every suit your taste buds. Ok thanks.
I shut off the gas when my hydrometer reads 20% abv. I don't put every jar of tails back into my final product cause that would just taste nasty.
by kurgan
Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:32 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Tails for brandy
Replies: 8
Views: 2105

Re: Tails for brandy

How much tails you blend into your final product depends on your taste. I don't go by temp, I usually shut off at 20%abv. I admit i'm on my first apple brandy, done peach several times now.
by kurgan
Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:30 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: I won the Lottery.
Replies: 43
Views: 2314

Re: I won the Lottery.

Damnit Red Rim you got me! Somebody won $1 million in the NC lotto, bought the ticket down the road in the next county over, probably at the gas station I get fuel at :-/
by kurgan
Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:25 am
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Recording what happens in an all corn plus SEB enzyme mash
Replies: 16
Views: 2822

Re: Recording what happens in an all corn plus SEB enzyme ma

Here we go. Taken from my copy of Ian Smiley's book "Making Pure Corn Whiskey" (second edition) Chapter 7 Fermentation page 79. "To measure the Originating Gravity (OG) of a grain mash, it's important to collect a sample of the mash that's almost devoid of mash solids. When a mash has...
by kurgan
Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:25 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Another Popcorn Video . . .
Replies: 14
Views: 1667

Re: Another Popcorn Video . . .

How much of hell of a life is new material though? If it's mainly filler, or a good chunk of it, I may just pass. I'm more interested in a lot more of the lifestyle than was shown in previous vids. I haven't actually timed it, but he uses some pretty good chunks of both old movies. Like I said, it ...
by kurgan
Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:16 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Another Popcorn Video . . .
Replies: 14
Views: 1667

Re: Another Popcorn Video . . .

I felt the same way, but couldn't find it anywhere (the book) for a reasonable price. I placed an order on their website moonshinerpopcornsutton.com. I have yet to get a confirmation of my order. I have also emailed them asking for confirmation. I have yet to get a reply to that email also. Glad I c...
by kurgan
Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:04 am
Forum: Grains
Topic: Chicken Scratch.
Replies: 20
Views: 15388

Re: Chicken Scratch.

Greenhorn Question, couldn't find it on the boards. Southern States sells chicken scratch (appears to be just oats and corn but it may have other grains) for about 20% less than corn. It's just grain, no fortification. Does anyone have any experience with using this for mash and if so, could you pr...
by kurgan
Tue Jan 06, 2015 8:26 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Importance of thermometer on pot still?
Replies: 120
Views: 7979

Re: Importance of thermometer on pot still?

I installed one at the top of my riser back when I first built my rig. I have since soldered up the hole. No need for it when I have a decent parrot/hydrometer.
by kurgan
Tue Jan 06, 2015 8:18 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Another Popcorn Video . . .
Replies: 14
Views: 1667

Re: Another Popcorn Video . . .

It just kinda sticks in my craw the way I saw her talking about her daddy back then versus now. She has/had every right to say what she did if it was true. I'd be mad and vocal too if I had a deadbeat dad. She really did do a 180 with how she talks in public about him now that there's money to be ma...
by kurgan
Tue Jan 06, 2015 8:01 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Another Popcorn Video . . .
Replies: 14
Views: 1667

Re: Another Popcorn Video . . .

Here's a start, if you try to look through the links back in 2005, they just take you back to the home page, so you can't really see the full posts. http://hampgal.blogspot.com/2008/03/so-you-want-to-know-more-about-me.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nof...
by kurgan
Tue Jan 06, 2015 7:38 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Another Popcorn Video . . .
Replies: 14
Views: 1667

Re: Another Popcorn Video . . .

Hahaha well damn I stand corrected from what I hear he and his daughter didn't get along too good.I hear tell she really never knew him only met him a couple times.Any truth to that you know of moose? I can tell you that she talked a lot of crap about him on her blog back around the time the movies...
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:45 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: One step closer but so far away
Replies: 88
Views: 8149

Re: One step closer but so far away

I was going to suggest you look over my old build thread, but I guess i'm too late to the game. I used a street elbow at the top of my 2" riser, and a 2" 45 so that I can pivot my lyne arm. I started with a worm, and now run a liebig. The street elbow giving me the ability to pivot my lyne...
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:19 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Recording what happens in an all corn plus SEB enzyme mash
Replies: 16
Views: 2822

Re: Recording what happens in an all corn plus SEB enzyme ma

Yeah, I had the day off and wanted a baseline to judge performance of my Booner's mashes. Figured I would wring every point out of this one to see what is possible. I will probably be lazier than that on an average day. Hey, does anybody know which gravity reading is more indicative? The one where ...
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:54 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman
Replies: 12
Views: 2586

Re: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman

Jimbo wrote:I dont understand how your proof goes up periodically in progressive jars?? :problem:
That's where the fire would die down and the run would do a real slow drip. My burner is great for getting up to temp, but has issues regulating at real low settings. It's a Bayou Classic KAB6.
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:38 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman
Replies: 12
Views: 2586

Re: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman

The jars have been airing since 2am. The samples are 8 oz US. The layout is position number followed by %abv. Here is my sample data. 1: 60 2: 55 3: 57 4: 60 5: 58 6: 55 7: 50 8: 43 9: 43 10: 50 11: 48 12: 56 13: 53 14: 45 15: 35 16: 33 17: 45 18: 32 19: 30 20: 30 21: 28 22: 25 23: 23 24: 20 I was r...
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 2:56 pm
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: 40 gallon blue drum
Replies: 8
Views: 1939

Re: 40 gallon blue drum

Most of the sugar and grain washes aren't going to foam in my experience (they just fizz), fruit washes are another story. I guess it does depend on the grain. I've had some big barleywine's, stouts and porters puke pretty good. I'd say leave 5 gallons head space till you get a feel for the drum.
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:27 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Anyone reconditioned a fuel tank?
Replies: 5
Views: 542

Re: Anyone reconditioned a fuel tank?

I've used lye (red devil), water, and a little gravel. Gets them clean as new. Be careful though, that lye gets hot as hell.
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:17 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman
Replies: 12
Views: 2586

Re: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman

I found that when I did 10 gallons of apple cider my yield was about 7% with more heads removed. This year I did not do any of the apple cider as it was so good to just drink and the value of cider. I decided giving up 10 gallons of cider for just over 1/2 gallon of brandy wasn't worth it so I went...
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:14 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman
Replies: 12
Views: 2586

Re: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman

Thanks Jimbo. I'm going to let these jars air out till tomorrow, then test each for smell, taste, and ABV. I'll post the results when i'm done.
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:47 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Condenser Tubing Thickness
Replies: 9
Views: 2352

Re: Condenser Tubing Thickness

In my opinion, that's too small diameter. I guess it depends on the size of the pot. I've used 1/2" (13mm) for pots from 6 gallons up to 15.5 gallon.
by kurgan
Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:26 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman
Replies: 12
Views: 2586

Re: My first apple brandy, thanks Jimbo and bushman

Sorry, it's been a long time since I posted pics of my rig on here. It's the garden variety pot still using an old 15.5 gallon beer keg and some 2" copper to get the steam over to a 1/2" liebig. I tend to run slow, always have. I ran slower on this run being apple brandy for two reasons 1)...